A one-year leadership fellowship for global health leaders working in LMICs, with executive coaching, Harvard mentorship, masterclasses, and a funded six-week in-residence experience at Harvard.
Program Snapshot
| Funding Type | Professional leadership fellowship (non-degree) |
|---|---|
| Study Level | Mid-career global health leaders |
| Eligible Regions / Countries | Applicants must be currently based/working in an LMIC and plan to return post-fellowship |
| Host Institution | Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) + Dept. of Global Health & Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School |
| Program Dates | Sep 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2027 (in-residence ~6 weeks in April 2027) |
| Deadline | Nov 30, 2025 • 11:59 PM EST |
| Application Portal | my.reviewr.com – LEAD Fellowship |
You will remain in your current role during the fall virtual phase. The leave of absence is required only for the on-campus component.
Overview
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health equips emerging leaders with the time, tools, and network to amplify their impact. The highly personalized program blends executive coaching, tailored coursework, and mentoring from Harvard faculty to help fellows refine their leadership approach and scale their influence across health systems and policy.
What the Fellowship Provides
- Executive Leadership Coaching: 1:1 and group sessions; leadership assessments (e.g., LVI 360, TypeCoach) and re-entry support.
- 1:1 Harvard Mentorship: Monthly meetings with aligned faculty to expand networks and catalyze collaborations.
- Executive Education Course: Fellows attend a Harvard executive education course during the in-residence month.
- Private Leadership Masterclasses: Small, high-impact sessions on communication, negotiation, crisis leadership, decision-making, and navigating bias.
- Speaking Opportunities: Panels and talks during the fellowship and beyond to showcase work and build presence.
- Funded In-Residence Month: Visa fees, round-trip flights, housing, course fees, and daily per diem for food and local transport are covered for the ~6 weeks on campus.
Eligibility
Required
- Minimum of a master’s degree in a relevant field.
- At least 10 years of full-time professional experience in global health.
- Currently based/working in an LMIC and plan to return after the fellowship.
- Employer support and an internal mentor/champion.
Program Conditions
- Leave of absence from work is required only for the ~6-week in-residence period (April 2027).
- Ability to obtain a J-1 visa and reside in Boston/Cambridge during the residency.
- No participation in any full-time fellowship of ≥4 months within the two years before arrival at Harvard.
- All genders welcome; the program’s purpose is to promote women’s leadership in global health.
Focus Areas & Leadership Themes
- Health policy and systems leadership
- Program design, implementation, evaluation
- Clinical and public health leadership
- Advocacy and equitable organizations
- Strategic communication and influence
- Crisis management and decision-making
How to Apply
Submission channel: Reviewr portal. Applications are self-nominated.
Application Timeline
- Deadline: Nov 30, 2025 @ 11:59 PM EST
- Virtual phase begins: Fall semester (light engagement alongside your job)
- In-residence at Harvard: ~6 weeks in April 2027
- Program end: Aug 31, 2027
Why It Matters
LEAD Fellows return to their home countries with sharpened leadership capacity, stronger networks, and concrete plans to mentor and elevate future women leaders—accelerating health equity and systems change across LMICs.
Contacts & Official Links
- Official page: Harvard LEAD Fellowship
- Apply: Reviewr Application Portal
- Alumni video: The LEAD Fellowship Experience
- Email (HGHI): globalhealth@harvard.edu